Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes: a substrate having a transmission area, a display area, and a non-display area, wherein the display area surrounds the transmission area, and the non-display area is between the transmission area and the display area; a first wire on the substrate and including a first-1 wire and a first-2 wire extending in a first direction and being spaced apart from each other by the transmission area; a first connecting wire on a same layer as that of the first wire and connecting the first-1 wire to the first-2 wire; and a second wire extending in the first direction and including a second-1 portion and a second-2 portion, wherein the second-1 portion at least partially overlaps the first connecting wire and is arranged on a different layer from that of the first wire, and the second-2 portion is on the same layer as that of the first wire.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/103,278 filed on Nov. 24, 2020, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§ 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0038561, filed on Mar.30, 2020, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a displayapparatus, and more particularly, to a display apparatus including anon-display area and a transmission area.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

A display apparatus is a device for visually displaying data. Thedisplay apparatus is used as a display unit of small products, such as amobile phone, and large products, such as a television (TV).

A typical display apparatus includes a substrate partitioned into adisplay area and a non-display area, and a gate line and a data line areformed insulated from each other in the display area. The gate line andthe data line intersect each other to form a plurality of pixel areas inthe display area, and the plurality of pixel areas receive electricalsignals to emit light so that an image may be displayed. A thin filmtransistor and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin filmtransistor are provided in correspondence to each of the pixel areas,and an opposite electrode is commonly provided in the pixel areas. Thenon-display area may include various wires configured to transmit anelectrical signal to the display area, a gate driver, a data driver, anda controller.

In recent years, the use of display apparatuses has been diversified. Inaddition, such display apparatuses have become thinner and lighter, andtheir range of use is widening. In addition, display apparatuses arecurrently under development to expand the display area of the displayapparatus. Various studies have been conducted to expand the displayarea of the display apparatus.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display apparatusincludes: a substrate having a transmission area, a display area, and anon-display area, wherein the display area surrounds the transmissionarea, and the non-display area is between the transmission area and thedisplay area; a first wire arranged on the substrate and including afirst-1 wire and a first-2 wire extending in a first direction and beingspaced apart from each other by the transmission area; a firstconnecting wire arranged on a same layer as that of the first wire andconnecting the first-1 wire to the first-2 wire; and a second wireextending in the first direction and including a second-1 portion and asecond-2 portion, wherein the second-1 portion at least partiallyoverlaps the first connecting wire and is arranged on a different layerfrom that of the first wire, and the second-2 portion is arranged on thesame layer as that of the first wire.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the display apparatus furtherincludes: an insulating layer between the substrate and the first wireand having a contact hole at least partially exposing the second-1portion of the second wire, and the second-2 portion of the second wireis connected to the second-1 portion through the contact hole.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting wireincludes a first-1 connecting wire extending in the first direction, afirst-2 connecting wire connected to one end of the first-1 connectingwire and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction,and a first-3 connecting wire connected to the other end of the first-1connecting wire and extending in a third direction crossing the firstdirection.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first-2 connecting wirecontacts the first-1 wire, and the first-3 connecting wire contacts thefirst-2 wire.

In an embodiment of the present invention, different signals are appliedto the first wire and the second wire.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting wireincludes a first node and a second node, wherein the first node contactsthe first-1 wire, and the second node contacts the first-2 wire, andwherein a same signal is applied to the first-1 wire and the first-2wire through the first node and the second node.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first wire and the secondwire include data lines.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the display apparatus furtherincludes: a third wire arranged on the same layer as that of the firstwire and including a third-1 wire and a third-2 wire extending in thefirst direction and being spaced apart from each other by thetransmission area; and a second connecting wire arranged on the samelayer as that of the third wire and connecting the third-1 wire to thethird-2 wire.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting wire isarranged closer to the transmission area than the second connectingwire.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting wire andthe second connecting wire are arranged on one side and another side,respectively, of the transmission area.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the transmission areaincludes a first transmission area and a second transmission area thatare spaced apart from each other, wherein the first-1 wire and thefirst-2 wire are spaced apart from each other by the first transmissionarea, and the third-1 wire and the third-2 wire are spaced apart fromeach other by the second transmission area, and the first connectingwire is spaced apart from the second transmission area, and the secondconnecting wire is spaced apart from the first transmission area.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first wire and the firstconnecting wire are a single body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display apparatusincludes: a substrate having a transmission area, a display area, and anon-display area, wherein the display area surrounds the transmissionarea, and the non-display area is between the transmission area and thedisplay area; a first wire arranged on the substrate and including afirst-1 wire and a first-2 wire extending in a first direction and beingspaced apart from each other by the transmission area; an insulatinglayer arranged on the first wire and including a first contact hole anda second contact hole, wherein the first contact hole at least partiallyexposes the first-1 wire, and the second contact hole at least partiallyexposes the first-2 wire; and a first connecting wire arranged on theinsulating layer and bypassing the transmission area, wherein the firstconnecting wire connects the first-1 wire to the first-2 wire throughthe first contact hole and the second contact hole.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting wireincludes a first-1 connecting wire extending in the first direction, afirst-2 connecting wire connected to one end of the first-1 connectingwire and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction,and a first-3 connecting wire connected to the other end of the first-1connecting wire and extending in a third direction crossing the firstdirection,

In an embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the first-2connecting wire is disposed in the first contact hole to contact thefirst-1 wire, wherein a portion of the first-3 connecting wire isdisposed in the second contact hole to contact the first-2 wire, and asame signal is applied to the first-1 wire and the first-2 wire throughthe first contact hole and the second contact hole.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the display apparatus furtherincludes a second wire arranged on a same layer as that of the firstwire and at least partially overlapping the first connecting wire,wherein different signals are applied to the first wire and the secondwire.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first wire and the secondwire include scan lines.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the display apparatus furtherincludes: a second wire arranged on a same layer as that of the firstwire and including a second-1 wire and a second-2 wire extending in thefirst direction and being spaced apart from each other by thetransmission area; and a second connecting wire arranged on theinsulating layer corresponding to the display area and connecting thesecond-1 wire to the second-2 wire, wherein the first connecting wire isarranged closer to the transmission area than the second connectingwire,

In an embodiment of the present invention, the display apparatus furtherincludes: a second wire arranged on a same layer as that of the firstwire and including a second-1 wire and a second-2 wire extending in thefirst direction and being spaced apart from each other by thetransmission area; and a second connecting wire arranged on theinsulating layer corresponding to the display area and connecting thesecond-1 wire to the second-2 wire, wherein the first connecting wireand the second connecting wire are arranged on one side and anotherside, respectively, of the transmission area,

In an embodiment of the present invention, the display apparatus furtherincludes: a first data line arranged on the substrate and including afirst-1 data line and a first-2 data line extending in a seconddirection crossing the first direction and being spaced apart from eachother by the transmission area; a second connecting wire arranged on asame layer as that of the first data line corresponding to the displayarea, and connecting the first-1 data line to the first-2 data line; anda second data line extending in the second direction and including asecond-1 portion and a second-2 portion, wherein the second-1 portion atleast partially overlaps the second connecting wire and is arranged on adifferent layer from that of the first data line, and the second-2portion is arranged on the same layer as that of the first data line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other, features of the present invention will be moreapparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a display panel according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of one pixel of a display panel according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a data line of the display apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus taken alonglines II-II′ and of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus taken along lineIV-IV′ of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a portion of a display apparatus according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a portion of a display apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a portion of a display apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a scan line of the display apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of FIG. 14 ;

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus taken along aline V-V′ of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the display apparatus taken alonga line VI-VI′ of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a portion of a display apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a portion of a display apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fullywith reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood thatthe present invention may be embodied in different forms and thus shouldnot be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.It is to be understood that like reference numerals may refer to likeelements throughout the specification, and thus redundant descriptionsmay be omitted. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughoutthe disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b or c” indicatesonly a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all ofa, b, and c, or variations thereof.

It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.may be used herein to describe various components, these componentsshould not be limited by these terms and these terms are only used todistinguish one component from another component. Thus, a firstcomponent discussed below could be termed a second component withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is to be understood that an expression used in the singularencompasses the expression of the plural, unless it clearly has adifferent meaning in the context.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or element is referredto as being “formed on” another layer, area, or element, it can bedirectly or indirectly formed on the other layer, region, or element.For example, intervening layers, regions, or elements may be present.

Sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. Inother words, since sizes and thicknesses of components in the drawingsmay be exaggerated for clarity, the present invention not limitedthereto.

When an embodiment of the present invention may be implementeddifferently, a specific process order may be performed differently fromthe described order. For example, two consecutively described processesmay be performed substantially at the same time or performed in an orderopposite to the described order.

In the specification, the term “A and/or B” refers to the case of A orB, or A and B. In the specification, the term “at least one of A and B”refers to the case of A or B, or A and B.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component isconnected to another layer, region or component, the layer, region, orcomponent may be directly connected to the other layer, region orcomponent, or an intervening layer, region, or component may exist, suchthat the layer, region, or component may be indirectly connected to theother layer, region or component. For example, when a layer, region, orcomponent is electrically connected to another layer, region orcomponent, the layer, region, or component may be directly electricallyconnected to the layer, region or component or may be indirectlyconnected to the other layer, region or component through an interveninglayer, region, or component.

An x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis are not limited to three axes of therectangular coordinate system and may be interpreted in a broader sense.For example, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may be perpendicularto one another, or may represent different directions that are notperpendicular to one another.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus 1 according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the display apparatus 1 includes a display area DAfor emitting light and a non-display area NDA for not emitting light.The non-display area NDA is adjacent to the display area DA. The displayapparatus 1 may provide a certain image using light emitted from aplurality of pixels arranged in the display area DA. In addition, animage may not be displayed in the non-display area NDA.

The display apparatus 1 includes a transmission area TA at leastpartially surrounded by the display area DA. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, FIG. 1 shows that the transmission area TA isentirely surrounded by the display area DA. The non-display area NDA mayinclude a first non-display area NDA1 and a second non-display areaNDA2. The first non-display area NDA1 may surround the transmission areaTA, and the second non-display area NDA2 may surround an outer peripheryof the display area DA. For example, the first non-display area NDA1 mayentirely surround the transmission area TA. As an additional example,the display area DA may entirely surround the first non-display areaNDA1, and the second non-display area NDA2 may entirely surround thedisplay area DA. In addition, even though the transmission area TA isillustrated as a circle, the present invention is not limited thereto.For example, the transmission area TA may have a polygonal shape oranother circular shape.

Hereinafter, an organic light-emitting display apparatus is described asan example of the display apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, but a display apparatus of the disclosure is notlimited thereto. In an embodiment of the present invention, variousdisplay apparatuses such as an inorganic light-emitting (EL) display anda quantum dot EL display may be used.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a displayapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and maycorrespond to a cross-section of the display apparatus 1 taken along aline I-I′ in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the display apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1 ) may includea display panel 10, an input sensing member 20 on the display panel 10,and an optical functional member 30, which may be covered with a window40. The display apparatus 1 may be a variety of electronic devices suchas a mobile phone, a laptop computer, and a smart watch.

The display panel 10 may display an image. The display panel 10 includespixels arranged in the display area DA. The pixels may include a displayelement and a pixel circuit connected thereto. The display element mayinclude an organic EL diode, an inorganic EL diode, or a quantum dot ELdiode.

The input sensing member 20 obtains coordinate information according toan external input, for example, a touch event. The input sensing member20 may include a sensing electrode (e.g., a touch electrode) and a traceline connected to the sensing electrode. The input sensing member 20 maybe on the display panel 10.

For example, the input sensing member 20 may be formed directly on thedisplay panel 10 or may be formed separately and then coupled to thedisplay panel 10 through an adhesive layer such as an opticaltransparent adhesive (OCA). For example, the input sensing member 20 maybe continuously formed after the process of forming the display panel 10in which case the adhesive layer may not be between the input sensingmember 20 and the display panel 10. FIG. 2 shows that the input sensingmember 20 is arranged between the display panel 10 and the opticalfunctional member 30, but as another example, the input sensing member20 may be on the optical functional member 30.

The optical functional member 30 may include an antireflective layer.The antireflective layer may reduce the reflectance of light (e.g.,external light) incident from the outside toward the display panel 10through the window 40. For example, the antireflective layer may includea retarder and a polarizer. For example, the retarder may be of a filmtype or a liquid crystal coating type and may include a λ/2 retarderand/or a λ/4 retarder. In addition, the polarizer may be of a film typeor a liquid crystal coating type. The film type may include astretch-type synthetic resin film, and the liquid crystal coating typemay include liquid crystals arranged in a certain arrangement. Theretarder and the polarizer may further include a protective film. Theretarder and the polarizer or the protective film may be a base layer ofthe antireflective layer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the antireflective layer mayinclude a black matrix and color filters. The color filters may bearranged considering the color of light emitted from each of the pixelsof the display panel 10. In an embodiment of the present invention, theantireflective layer may include a destructive interference structure.The destructive interference structure may include a first reflectivelayer and a second reflective layer on respective layers. Firstreflected light and second reflected light respectively reflected by thefirst reflective layer and second reflective layer may destructivelyinterfere, and thus, external light reflectance may be reduced.

The optical functional member 30 may include a lens layer. The lenslayer may increase the luminous efficiency of light emitted from thedisplay panel 10 or may reduce color deviation. The lens layer mayinclude a layer having a concave or convex lens shape or/and may includea plurality of layers having different refractive indices. The opticalfunctional member 30 may include all or some of the above-describedantireflective layer and lens layer.

The display panel 10, the input sensing member 20, and the opticalfunctional member 30 may include an opening. In this regard, FIG. 2shows that the display panel 10, the input sensing member 20, and theoptical functional member 30 include first to third openings 10H, 20Hand 30H, respectively, and the first to third openings 10H, 20H, and 30Hoverlap each other. The first to third openings 10H, 20H, and 30H arelocated to correspond to the transmission area TA. For example, thetransmission area TA may be an area in which light and/or sound that isoutput from a component 50 travels to the outside. In addition, thetransmission area TA may be an area in which light and/or sound travelsfrom the outside toward the component 50, and the transmission area TAmay be an area formed through the first to third openings 10H, 20H, and30H.

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the displaypanel 10, the input sensing member 20, and/or the optical functionalmember 30 may not include an opening. For example, one or two componentsselected from the display panel 10, the input sensing member 20, and theoptical functional member 30 may not include an opening. The displaypanel 10, the input sensing member 20, and the optical function member30 may not all include an opening.

The component 50 may correspond to the transmission area TA. Thecomponent 50 may be in the first to third openings 10H, 20H, and 30H asshown by solid lines in FIG. 2 , or may be under the display panel 10 asshown by dashed lines in FIG. 2 .

The component 50 may include an electronic element. For example, thecomponent 50 may include an electronic component utilizing light orsound. For example, the electronic component may include a sensor thatreceives light such as an infrared sensor, a camera that captures animage by receiving light, a sensor that outputs and detects light andsound to measure distance or recognize fingerprints, a small lamp thatoutputs light, a speaker that outputs sound, and the like. In the caseof an electronic element using light, light of various wavelength bandssuch as visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, and the likemay be used.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the display apparatus 1is used as a smart watch or a vehicle instrument panel, the component 50may be a member including a clock needle or a needle indicating certaininformation (e.g., vehicle speed, etc.). When the display apparatus 1includes a clock needle or a vehicle instrument panel, the component 50may be exposed to the outside through the window 40, and the window 40may include an opening corresponding to the transmission area TA.

The component 50 may include component(s) associated with the functionof the display panel 10 as described above, or may include components,such as accessories, that increase aesthetics of the display panel 10.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a display panel according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the display panel 10 includes the display area DAand the non-display area NDA. The non-display area NDA includes thefirst non-display area NDA1 and the second non-display area NDA2. FIG. 3may be understood as a view of a substrate 100 of the display panel 10.For example, it can be understood that the substrate 100 has thetransmission area TA, the display area DA, and the non-display area NDA.In addition, the display panel 10 includes a plurality of pixels PXsarranged in the display area DA.

The first non-display area NDA1 may surround the transmission area TA.The first non-display area NDA1 is an area in which a display elementsuch as an organic light-emitting diode that emits light is notarranged. In the first non-display area NDA1, signal lines that providesignals to the pixels PX provided around the transmission area TA maypass. The second non-display area NDA2 may include a scan driver 1100for providing a scan signal to each pixel PX through a scan line SL, adata driver 1200 for providing a data signal to each pixel PX through adata line DL, and a main power wire for providing first and second powersupply voltages. FIG. 3 shows that the data driver 1200 is adjacent toone side of the substrate 100, According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the data driver 1200 may be on a flexible printed circuitboard (FPCB) electrically connected to a pad on one side of the displaypanel 10. FIG. 3 shows that the scan driver 1100 and the data driver1200 are arranged on different sides of the substrate 100. However,according to an embodiment of the present invention, the scan driver1100 and the data driver 1200 may be arranged on the same side of thesubstrate 100.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of one pixel of a display panel according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 , each pixel PX includes a pixel circuit PCconnected to a scan line SL and a data line DL and an organiclight-emitting diode OLED connected to the pixel circuit PC.

The pixel circuit PC includes a driving thin-film transistor T1, aswitching thin-film transistor T2, and a storage capacitor Cst. Theswitching thin-film transistor T2 is connected to the scan line SL andthe data line DL, and supplies a data signal Dm received through thedata line DL according to a scan signal Sn received through the scanline SL to the driving thin-film transistor T1.

The storage capacitor Cst is connected to the switching thin-filmtransistor T2 and a driving voltage line PL, and stores a voltagecorresponding to a difference between a voltage supplied from theswitching thin-film transistor T2 and a driving voltage ELVDD suppliedto the driving voltage line PL.

The driving thin-film transistor T1 is connected to the driving voltageline PL and the storage capacitor Cst, and may control a driving currentflowing through the organic light-emitting diode OLED from the drivingvoltage line PL corresponding to a voltage value stored in the storagecapacitor Cst. The organic light-emitting diode OLED may emit lighthaving certain luminance according to the driving current.

Although FIG. 4 describes a case where the pixel circuit PC includes twothin-film transistors and one storage capacitor Cst, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. For example, the pixel circuit PC mayinclude three or more thin-film transistors and/or two or more storagecapacitors. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pixel circuitPC may include seven thin-film transistors and one storage capacitor.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a data line of the display apparatus of FIG. 1 ,and FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of FIG. 5 .

Various signals may be applied to the display area DA. For example, adata signal or the like for adjusting the brightness in each pixel maybe applied to the display area DA, and for this purpose, asschematically illustrated in FIG. 5 , first to fourth wires WL1, WL2,WL3, and WL4 that are substantially parallel to each other may belocated inside and outside of the display area DA on the substrate 100.For example, some of the wires WL1, WL2, WL3 and WL4 may be positionedin the non-display area NDA. In an embodiment of the present invention,the first to fourth wires WL1, WL2, WL3, and WL4 may be the data linesDL described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 . FIG. 5 shows onlywires adjacent to the transmission area TA, so that the display panel 10includes four wires, but this is only an example, and the display areaDA may include more than four wires.

The first wire WL1 extends in a first direction (e.g., a y direction).The first wire WL1 includes a first-1 wire WL1 a and a first-2 wire WL1b that are spaced apart from each other by the transmission area TA. Thefirst-2 wire WL1 b is arranged to coincide with a virtual line extendingin the first direction from the first-1 wire WL1 a. For example, thevirtual line extending in the first direction from the first-1 wire WL1a and a virtual line extending in the first direction from the first-2wire WL1 b coincide with each other. As an additional example, thefirst-1 wire WL1 a may be aligned with the first-2 wire WL1 b. Forexample, the first wire WL1 may be integrally formed and thendisconnected as the transmission area TA is formed, thereby forming thefirst-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2 wire WL1 b. As another example, thefirst-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2 wire WL1 b may be formed bypatterning.

The second wire WL2 extends in the first direction in substantially thesame manner as the first wire WL1, and includes a second-1 wire WL2 aand a second-2 wire WL2 b that are spaced apart from each other by thetransmission area TA. The third wire WL3 also extends in the firstdirection in substantially the same manner as the first wire WL1 and thesecond wire WL2 and includes a third-1 wire WL3 a and a third-2 wire WL3b that are spaced apart from each other by the transmission area TA, Thedescription of the first wire WL1 applies to the second wire WL2 and thethird wire WL3.

Unlike the first to third wires WL1, WL2, and WL3, the fourth wire WL4does not partially overlap the transmission area TA. Therefore, thefourth wire WL4 may be integrally formed without a portion disconnectedor separated by the transmission area TA. Like the first to third wiresWL1, WL2, and WL3, the fourth wire WL4 extends in the first direction.

First to third connecting wires CL1, CL2, and CL3 are arranged on thesubstrate 100 corresponding to the display area DA. The first connectingwire CL1 connects the first-1 wire WL1 a to the first-2 wire WL1 b thatare spaced apart from each other by the transmission area TA. The firstconnecting wire CL1 may be arranged to bypass the transmission area TAand may be arranged on the same layer as that of the first wire WL1. Forexample, the first connecting wire CL1 and the first wire WL1 may beintegrally formed or separately formed. For example, the firstconnecting wire CL1 and the first wire WL1 may be a single body.

Likewise, the second connecting wire CL2 connects the second-1 wire WL2a to the second-2 wire WL2 b that are spaced apart from each other bythe transmission area TA, and the third connecting wire CL3 connects thethird-1 wire WL3 a to the third-2 wire WL3 b that are spaced apart fromeach other by the transmission area TA. For example, the secondconnecting wire CL2 and the third connecting wire CL3 may be integrallyformed with the second wire WL2 and the third wire WL3, respectively.However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The first connecting wire CL1 includes a first node N1 contacting thefirst-1 wire WL1 a and a second node N2 contacting the first-2 wire WL1b. The same signal may be applied to the first-1 wire WL1 a and thefirst-2 wire WL1 b through the first node N1 and the second node N2 ofthe first connecting wire CL1. For example, one signal may be applied tothe first wire WL1 including the first-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2 wireWL1 b, Further, the description of the first connecting wire CL1 mayapply to the second connecting wire CL2 and the third connecting wireCL3.

The first connecting wire CL1 may include substantially the samematerial as that of the first wire WL1, For example, the firstconnecting wire CL1 may be arranged on the same layer as that of thefirst wire WL1 and may contact the first-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2wire WL1 b, respectively, to each other. In this case, a portion of thesecond wire WL2 and a portion of the third wire WL3 overlapping thefirst connecting wire CL1 may be arranged on a different layer fromthose of the first wire WL1 and the first connecting wire CL1. Althoughthe first connecting wire CL1 has been described as a reference, thesame description applies to the second connecting wire CL2 and the thirdconnecting wire CL3. Through this, the first to third wires WL1, WL2,and WL3 are not connected to each other, and different signals may beapplied to the first to third wires WL1, WL2, and WL3. This will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 . However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the first connecting wire CL1 may be arranged on alayer different from that of the first wire WL1 and may connect thefirst-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2 wire WL1 b to each other throughrespective vias. In addition, the second wire WL2 and the third wire WL3may be disposed on a same layer as that of the first wire WL1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and6 , the distance from the transmission area TA to the second connectingwire CL2 may be longer than to the first connecting wire CL1, and thedistance from the transmission area TA to the third connecting wire CL3may be longer than to the second connecting wire CL2. For example, thefirst connecting wire CL1 may be arranged closest to the transmissionarea TA, and the third connecting wire CL3 may be arranged farthest fromthe transmission area TA. The second connecting wire CL2 may be arrangedbetween the first connecting wire CL1 and the third connecting wire CL3.However, shapes in which the first to third connecting wires CL1, CL2,and CL3 are arranged may vary, and the ones illustrated in FIGS. 10 to12 correspond to an embodiment of the present invention. This will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS, 10 to 12.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first wire WL1includes the first-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2 wire WL1 b that arespaced apart from each other by the transmission area TA, and thefirst-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2 wire WL1 b may be connected to eachother by the first connecting wire CL1.

As a comparative example, a plurality of wires arranged adjacent to atransmission area of a display panel may be formed extending in a firstdirection and bypassing along an edge of the transmission area. At thistime, the plurality of wires are spaced apart from each other at regularintervals, and are densely arranged when bypassing along the edge of thetransmission area. Because the plurality of wires are densely arrangedat the edge of the transmission area, a space in which a plurality ofthin-film transistors, a storage capacitor, and the like may be arrangedis reduced, and thus, pixels cannot be formed. For example, the edge ofthe transmission area with respect to which the plurality of wiresbypass corresponds to a non-display area in which pixels are notarranged. A space is required to bypass a plurality of wires, andaccordingly, a non-display area surrounding a transmission area isformed wide.

However, as in an embodiment of the present invention, the first wireWL1 may include the first-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2 wire WL1 b thatare spaced apart from each other by the transmission area TA. In thiscase, the first wire WL1 does not need to bypass along the edge of thetransmission area TA, and the first wire WL1 may be arranged to beadjacent to the transmission area TA. For example, the first non-displayarea NDA1 surrounding the transmission area TA may be reduced. Inaddition, because the first-1 wire WL1 a and first-2 wire WL1 b areconnected to each other by the first connecting wire CL1, the samesignal may be applied to the first-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2 wire WL1b.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing a first area AR1of FIG. 6 , FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatustaken along lines II′ and III-III′ of FIG. 7 , and FIG. 9 is across-sectional view of a display apparatus taken along a line IV-IV′ ofFIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , the first to third wires WL1, WL2, and WL3 extendin a first direction (e.g., a y direction) and are arranged to overlap aplurality of pixel circuits PC. FIG. 7 is an enlarged first area AR1 ofFIG. 6 and shows six pixel circuits PC, but this is only an example. Thefirst area AR1 may include more than six pixel circuits PC.

The first wire WL1 according to an embodiment of the present inventionextends in the first direction (e.g., they direction), and includes thefirst-1 wire WL1 a and first-2 wire WL1 b (see FIG. 6 ) that are spacedapart from each other by the transmission area TA. The first-1 wire WL1a and the first-2 wire WL1 b are connected to each other by the firstconnecting wire CL1 arranged on the same layer as that of the first wireWL1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting wire CL1may include a first-1 connecting wire CL1 a extending in the firstdirection (e.g., they direction), a first-2 connecting wire CL1 bextending in a second direction (e.g., an x direction) crossing thefirst direction, and a first-3 connecting wire CL1 c (see FIG. 6 )extending in a third direction crossing the first direction. The first-2connecting wire CL1 b is connected to one end of the first-1 connectingwire CL1 a, and the first-3 connecting wire CL1 c is connected to theother end of the first-1 connecting wire CL1 a. For example, differentportions of the first-1 connecting wire CL1 a intersect with the first-2connecting wire CL1 b and the first-3 connecting wire CL1 c. The first-1connecting wire CL1 a, the first-2 connecting wire CL1 b, and thefirst-3 connecting wire CL1 c may be integrally formed. In FIG. 7 , thefirst-1 connecting wire CL1 a and the first-2 connecting wire CL1 b arevertically crossed, but this is only an embodiment, of the presentinvention. An angle formed by the first-1 connecting wire CL1 a and thefirst-2 connecting wire CL1 b may vary. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 6 , an angle formed by the first-1 connecting wire CL1 a and thefirst-2 connecting wire CL1 b may be greater than 90 degrees. Althoughthe first connecting wire CL1 has been described as a reference, thesame description applies to the second connecting wire CL2 and the thirdconnecting wire CL3.

For example, the first-2 connecting wire CL1 b is in contact with thefirst-1 wire WL1 a, and a portion of the first-2 connecting wire CL1 bthat is in contact with the first-1 wire WL1 a is the first node N1. Thefirst-3 connecting wire CL1 c is in contact with the first-2 wire WL1 b,and a portion of the first-3 connecting wire CL1 c that is in contactwith the first-2 wire WL1 b is the second node N2 (see FIG. 6 ).

In an embodiment of the present invention, a second-1 portion P2 a ofthe second wire WL2 corresponding to any one pixel circuit PC may atleast partially overlap the first connecting wire CL1, and the second-1portion P2 a may be arranged on a different layer from those of thefirst wire WL1 and the first connecting wire CL1. In addition, asecond-2 portion P2 b of the second wire WL2 corresponding to any onepixel circuit PC does not overlap the first connecting wire CL1, and maybe arranged on the same layer as those of the first wire WL1 and thefirst connecting wire CL1. For example, the second wire WL2 may bedivided into the second-1 portion P2 a and the second-2 portion P2 barranged on different layers in units of the pixel circuits PC. Forexample, the second-1 wire WL2 a may be divided into the second-1portion P2 a and the second-2 portion P2 b, and the second-2 wire WL2 bmay have a similar configuration to that of the second-1 wire WL2 a.

The second-1 portion P2 a extends in the first direction (e.g., the ydirection), and may partially overlap the second-2 portion P2 b. Thesecond-1 portion P2 a and the second-2 portion P2 b may be connected toeach other through a contact hole CNT, and the same signal may beapplied to the second-1 portion P2 a and the second-2 portion P2 b.

The third wire WL3 may be similar to the second wire WL2. A third-1portion P3 a of the third wire WL3 corresponding to any one pixelcircuit PC may at least partially overlap the first connecting wire CL1,and the third-1 portion P3 a may be arranged on a different layer fromthose of the first wire WL1 and the first connecting wire CL1. Inaddition, a third-2 portion P3 b of the third wire WL3 corresponding toany one pixel circuit PC does not overlap the first connecting wire CL1,and may be arranged on the same layer as those of the first wire WL1 andthe first connecting wire CL1. For example, the third wire WL3 may bedivided into the third-1 portion P3 a and the third-2 portion P3 barranged on different layers in units of the pixel circuits PC.

The third-1 portion P3 a extends in the first direction (e.g., the ydirection), and may partially overlap the third-2 portion P3 b. Thethird-1 portion P3 a and the third-2 portion P3 b may be connected toeach other through the contact hole CNT, and the same signal may beapplied to the third-1 portion P3 a and the third-2 portion P3 b.

As such, the first to third wires WL1, WL2, and WL3 are not connected toeach other, and different signals may be applied to the first to thirdwires WL1, WL2, and WL3.

Hereinafter, display elements and elements electrically connectedthereto will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9according to a stacking order, and the positional relationship of thefirst to third wires WL1, WL2, and WL3, the first connecting wire CL1,and the like will be described.

The substrate 100 may include, for example, glass or a polymer resin.The polymer resin may include polyethersulphone, polyacrylate,polyetherimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate,polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, orcellulose acetate propionate. The substrate 100 including the polymerresin may be flexible, rollable, or bendable. The substrate 100 may havea multilayer structure including a layer including the above-describedpolymer resin and an inorganic layer. However, the present invention isnot limited thereto. For example, the substrate 100 may be a singlelayer.

A buffer layer 111 may reduce or block the penetration of foreignmaterials, moisture, or external air from a lower portion of thesubstrate 100 and may provide a flat surface on the substrate 100. Thebuffer layer 111 may include an inorganic material, such as an oxide ornitride, an organic material, or an organic-inorganic compositematerial, and may have a single layer structure or a multilayerstructure including an inorganic material and/or an organic material.

A barrier layer may be further included between the substrate 100 andthe buffer layer 111. The barrier layer may prevent or minimizepenetration of impurities from the substrate 100 into a semiconductorlayer A. The barrier layer may include an inorganic material, such as anoxide or nitride, an organic material, or an organic-inorganic compositematerial, and may have a single layer structure or a multilayerstructure including an inorganic material and/or an organic material.

A semiconductor layer A may be on the buffer layer 111. Thesemiconductor layer A may include, for example, amorphous silicon orpolysilicon. In an embodiment of the present invention, thesemiconductor layer A may include an oxide of at least one of indium(In), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), zirconium (Zr), vanadium (V), hafnium(Hf), cadmium (Cd), germanium (Ge), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti),aluminum (Al), cesium (Cs), cerium (Ce), and/or zinc (Zn).

The semiconductor layer A may include a channel area and a source areaand a drain area arranged on both sides of the channel area. Thesemiconductor layer A may be a single layer or multiple layers.

A first gate insulating layer 113 and a second gate insulating layer 115may be stacked and arranged on the substrate 100 to cover thesemiconductor layer A. The first gate insulating layer 113 and thesecond gate insulating layer 115 may include, for example, silicon oxide(SiO₂), silicon nitride (SiN_(x)), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminumoxide (Al₂O₃), titanium oxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafniumoxide (HfO₂), and/or zinc oxide (ZnO₂).

A gate electrode G may be arranged on the first gate insulating layer113 to at least partially overlap the semiconductor layer A. Althoughthe drawing shows that the gate electrode G is arranged on the firstgate insulating layer 113, in an embodiment of the present invention,the gate electrode G may be arranged on an upper surface of the secondgate insulating layer 115.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the storage capacitor Cstincludes a lower electrode CE1 and an upper electrode CE2 and mayoverlap a thin-film transistor TFT, as illustrated in FIG. 8 . Forexample, the gate electrode G of the thin film transistor TFT may serveas the lower electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst. In addition,the storage capacitor Cst might not overlap the thin film transistor TFTand may exist separately.

The upper electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst overlaps the lowerelectrode CE1 with the second gate insulating layer 115 therebetween andforms a capacitance. Here, the second gate insulating layer 115 mayserve as a dielectric layer of the storage capacitor Cst.

An interlayer insulating layer 117 may be provided on the second gateinsulating layer 115 to cover the upper electrode CE2 of the storagecapacitor Cst. The interlayer insulating layer 117 includes, forexample, SiO₂, SiN_(x), SiON, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Ta₂O₅, HfO₂, and/or ZnO₂.

A source electrode S, a drain electrode D, the second-1 portion P2 a ofthe second wire WL2, and the third-1 portion P3 a of the third wire WL3may be arranged on the interlayer insulating layer 117.

The source electrode S, the drain electrode D, the second-1 portion P2 aof the second wire WL2, and the third-1 portion P3 a of the third wireWL3 may include a conductive material including, for example, molybdenum(Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), or the like, and may beformed as a single layer or multiple layers including theabove-described materials. For example, the source electrode S, thedrain electrode D, the second-1 portion P2 a of the second wire WL2, andthe third-1 portion Pia of the third wire WL3 may be formed of amultilayer structure of Ti/Al/Ti. The source electrode S and the drainelectrode D may be connected to the source area or the drain area of thesemiconductor layer A through a contact hole.

The source electrode S and the drain electrode D may be covered with aninorganic protective layer. For example, the inorganic protective layermay be a single layer or multiple layers of SiN_(x) and silicon oxide(SiO_(x)). The inorganic protective layer may be introduced to cover andprotect some wires on the interlayer insulating layer 117.

A first planarization layer 119 and a second planarization layer 121 aresequentially arranged to cover the source electrode S and the drainelectrode D, and the first planarization layer 119 and the secondplanarization layer 121 include contact holes for connecting the thinfilm transistor TFT to a pixel electrode 210. In addition, the firstplanarization layer 119 includes the contact hole CNT for connecting thethin-film transistor TFT to the first wire WL1.

The first planarization layer 119 and the second planarization layer 121may include a single layer or multiple layers of an organic material,and provide a flat top surface. The first planarization layer 119 andthe second planarization layer 121 may include a general purpose polymersuch as benzocyclobutene (BCB), polyimide, hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO),polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and polystyrene (PS), a polymerderivative including a phenolic group, an acrylic polymer, an imidepolymer, an aryl ether polymer, an amide polymer, a fluorine-basedpolymer, a p-xylene-based polymer, a vinyl alcohol polymer, or a blendthereof.

The first wire WU and the first connecting wire CL1 are arranged on thefirst planarization layer 119. For example, the first-2 connecting wireof the first connecting wire CL1 may be arranged on the firstplanarization layer 119. The first wire WU is connected to the thin filmtransistor TFT through the contact hole CNT formed in the firstplanarization layer 119 and may be driven.

A display device 200 is arranged on the second planarization layer 121.The display device 200 includes a pixel electrode 210, an intermediatelayer 220 including an organic light-emitting layer, and an oppositeelectrode 230.

The pixel electrode 210 may include, for example, a (semi-) transparentelectrode or a reflective electrode. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the pixel electrode 210 may include a reflective layer formedof silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium(Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (ir), chromium(Cr), or a compound thereof. In addition, the pixel electrode 210 mayinclude a transparent or semi-transparent electrode layer formed abovethe reflective layer. The transparent or semi-transparent electrodelayer may include at least one of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zincoxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In₂O₃), indium galliumoxide (IGO), and/or aluminum zinc oxide (AZO). In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the pixel electrode 210 may be formed of ITO/Ag/ITO.

In the display area DA of the substrate 100, a pixel-defining layer 123may be on the second planarization layer 121, and may include an openingoverlapping the pixel electrode 210. In addition, the pixel-defininglayer 123 may prevent generation of an arc on edges of the pixelelectrode 210 by increasing a distance between the edges of the pixelelectrode 210 and the opposite electrode 230 on the pixel electrode 210.In addition, the opposite electrode 230 may be disposed on thepixel-defining layer 123.

The pixel-defining layer 123 may include at least one organic insulatingmaterial from among polyimide, polyamide, acrylic resin, BCB, and/orphenolic resin, and may be formed by spin coating or the like.

The intermediate layer 220 is in the opening formed in thepixel-defining layer 123 and may include an organic light-emittinglayer. The organic light-emitting layer may include an organic materialincluding a fluorescent or phosphorescent material that emits red,green, blue, or white light. The organic light-emitting layer mayinclude a low-molecular weight organic material or a high-molecularweight organic material. A functional layer such as a hole transportlayer (HTL), a hole injection layer (HIL), an electron transport layer(ETL), or an electron injection layer (EIL) may selectively be furtherarranged over and below the organic light-emitting layer.

The opposite electrode 230 may include a transparent electrode or areflective electrode. In an embodiment of the present invention, theopposite electrode 230 may include a transparent electrode orsemi-transparent electrode, and may include a metal thin-film, which hasa small work function, including, for example, Li, Ca, lithium fluoride(LiF)/Ca, LiF/Al, Al, Ag, Mg, or a compound thereof. Furthermore, atransparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer including such as ITO, IZO,ZnO, or In₂O₃ may further be arranged on the metal thin-film. Theopposite electrode 230 may be arranged over the display area DA and maybe on the intermediate layer 220 and the pixel-defining layer 123. Theopposite electrode 230 may be formed integrally with a plurality oforganic light-emitting diodes OLED to correspond to the plurality ofpixel electrodes 310.

Because the organic light-emitting diodes OLED may be easily damaged bymoisture or oxygen from the outside, an encapsulation layer may coverand protect the OLED. The encapsulation layer covers the display area DAand may extend to at least a portion of the non-display area NDA. Theencapsulation layer may include a first inorganic encapsulation layer,an organic encapsulation layer, and a second inorganic encapsulationlayer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 8 ,the first-2 connecting wire CL1 b is arranged on the same layer as thatof the first wire WL1. For example, the first connecting wire CL1 andthe first wire WL1 are both arranged on the first planarization layer119.

A second-1 portion P2 a of the second wire WL2 corresponding to any onepixel circuit PC may at least partially overlap the first connectingwire CL1, and the second-1 portion P2 a may be arranged on a differentlayer from those of the first wire WL1 and the first connecting wireCL1. For example, the second-1 portion P2 a may overlap the first-2connecting wire of the first connecting wire CL1. For example, as shownin FIGS. 8 and 9 , the second-1 portion P2 a may be on the interlayerinsulating layer 117, and the first connecting wire CL1 may be on thefirst planarization layer 119.

In addition, the second-2 portion P2 b of the second wire WL2corresponding to any one pixel circuit PC does not overlap the firstconnecting wire CL1, and may be arranged on the same layer as those ofthe first wire WL1 and the first connecting wire CL1. For example, asshown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , both the second-2 portion P2 b and the firstconnecting wire CL1 may be on the first planarization layer 119. Assuch, the second wire WL2 may be divided into the second-1 portion P2 aand the second-2 portion P2 b arranged on a different layer from that ofthe second-1 portion P2 a, in units of the pixel circuits PC.

Also, the second-1 portion P2 a may partially overlap the second-2portion P2 b. The second-2 portion P2 b may be buried in the contacthole CNT formed in the first planarization layer 119 to be connected tothe second-1 portion P2 a, and the same signal may be applied to thesecond-2 portion P2 b and the second-1 portion P2 a.

The third wire WL3 may be applied similarly to the second wire WL2. Athird-1 portion P3 a of the third wire WL3 corresponding to any onepixel circuit PC may at least partially overlap the first connectingwire CL1, and the third-1 portion P3 a may be arranged on a differentlayer from those of the first wire WL1 and the first connecting wireCL1. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the third-1 portion P3 a may beon the interlayer insulating layer 117, and the first connecting wireCL1 may be on the first planarization layer 119.

In addition, the third-2 portion P3 b of the third wire WL3corresponding to any one pixel circuit PC does not overlap the firstconnecting wire CL1, and may be arranged on the same layer as those ofthe first wire WL1 and the first connecting wire CL1. For example, boththe third-2 portion P3 b and the first connecting wire CL1 may be on thefirst planarization layer 119. As such, the third wire WL3 may bedivided into the third-1 portion P3 a and the third-2 portion P3 barranged on a different layer from that of the third-1 portion P3 a, inunits of the pixel circuits PC.

In addition, the third-1 portion P3 a may partially overlap the third-2portion P3 b. The third-2 portion P3 b may be buried in the contact holeCNT formed in the first planarization layer 119 to be connected to thethird-1 portion P3 a, and the same signal may be applied to the third-2portion P3 b and the third-1 portion P3 a.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first to third wires WL1,WL2, and WL3 are the data line DL (see FIG. 4 ), and may be arranged ondifferent layers from those of the source electrode S and the drainelectrode D of the thin film transistor TFT. In this case, a parasiticcapacitance of the data line DL may be reduced because the data line DLis moved away from a lower conductive layer. Accordingly, a pulse widthof a scan signal may be reduced. Therefore, the data writing time may bereduced, and accordingly, a light emission duty may be increased. Inaddition, because a driving frequency may be increased, high-speeddriving is possible.

In addition, as described above with reference to FIG. 6 , because thefirst wire WL1 includes the first-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2 wire WL1b that are spaced apart from each other by the transmission area TA,there is no need for the first wire WL1 to bypass along an edge of thetransmission area TA. For example, the first non-display area NDA1surrounding the transmission area TA may be reduced.

FIGS. 10 to 12 are plan views of a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 10 to 12correspond to some modified embodiments of FIG. 6 and will be describedbelow based on differences from FIG. 6 . Thus, any redundantdescriptions may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the distance from the transmission area TA to thesecond connecting wire CL2 may be shorter than the distance between thetransmission area TA and the first connecting wire CL1. In addition, thedistance from the transmission area TA to the third connecting wire CL3may be shorter than the distance between the second connecting wire CL2and the transmission area TA. For example, the first connecting wire CL1may be arranged farthest from the transmission area TA, and the thirdconnecting wire CL3 may be arranged closest to the transmission area TA.The second connecting wire CL2 may be arranged between the firstconnecting wire CL1 and the third connecting wire CL3.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the first to third connecting wires CL1, CL2, andCL3 may be arranged in different directions based on the transmissionarea TA. The first connecting wire CL1 is arranged on the left sidebased on the transmission area TA, and the second connecting wire CL2and the third connecting wire CL3 may be respectively arranged on theright side based on the transmission area TA. For example, the firstconnecting wire CL1 is arranged closer to a left side of the displayapparatus than the second and third connecting wires CL2 and CL3 are,and the second and third connecting wires CL2 and CL3 are arrangedcloser to the right side of the display apparatus than the firstconnecting wire CL1 is. As another example, the transmission area TA maybe provided between the first connecting line CL1 and the second andthird connecting lines CL2 and CL3. As another example, the firstconnecting wire CL1 and the third connecting wire CL3 are respectivelyarranged on the left side based on the transmission area TA, and thesecond connecting wire CL2 may be arranged on the right side based onthe transmission area TA. In addition, the first to third connectingwires CL1, CL2, and CL3 may be freely arranged on the left or right sidebased on the transmission area TA.

Referring to FIG. 12 , the transmission area TA may include a firsttransmission area TA1 and a second transmission area TA2 that are spacedapart from each other. Accordingly, the display apparatus 1 may includethe first non-display area NDA1 and a third non-display area NDA3. Thefirst non-display area NDA1 surrounds the first transmission area TA1,and the third non-display area NDA3 surrounds the second transmissionarea TA2.

The first wire WL1 includes the first-1 wire WL1 a and the first-2 wireWL1 b that are spaced apart from each other by the first transmissionarea TA1. In addition, the second wire WL2 includes the second-1 wireWL2 a and the second-2 wire WL2 b that are spaced apart from each otherby the first transmission area TA1, and the third wire WL3 includes thethird-1 wire WL3 a and the third-2 wire WL3 b that are spaced apart fromeach other by the first transmission area TA1. As described above withreference to FIG. 6 , the fourth wire WL4 does not partially overlap thetransmission area TA. Therefore, the fourth wire WL4 may be integrallyformed without a portion disconnected or separated by the transmissionarea TA. The first connecting wire CL1 connects the first-1 wire WL1 ato the first-2 wire WL1 b, and the second connecting wire CL2 connectsthe second-1 wire WL2 a to the second-2 wire WL2 b. In addition, thethird connecting wire CL3 connects the third-1 wire WL3 a to the third-2wire WL3 b.

Like the first to third wires WL1, WL2, and WL3, a fifth wire WL5includes a fifth-1 wire WL5 a and a fifth-2 wire WL5 b that are spacedapart from each other by the second transmission area TA2. Further, asixth wire WL6 includes a sixth-1 wire WL6 a and a sixth-2 wire WL6 bthat spaced are apart from each other by the second transmission areaTA2, and a seventh wire WL7 includes a seventh-1 wire WL7 a and aseventh-2 wire WL7 b that are spaced apart from each other by the secondtransmission area TA2. A fourth connecting wire CL4 connects the fifth-1wire WL5 a to the fifth-2 wire WL5 b , and a fifth connecting wire CL5connects the sixth-1 wire WL6a to the sixth-2 wire WL6 b. Further, asixth connecting wire CL6 connects the seventh-1 wire WL7 a to theseventh-2 wire WL7 b.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12 , thefirst to third connecting wires CL1, CL2, and CL3 may be arranged to beseparated from the second transmission area TA2, and the fourth to sixthconnecting wires CL4, CL5, and CL6 may be arranged to be separated fromthe first transmission area TA1. For example, the first to thirdconnecting wires CL1, CL2, and CL3 may be arranged on the right sidebased on the first transmission area TA1, and the fourth to sixthconnecting wires CL4, CL5, and CL6 may be arranged on the left sidebased on the second transmission area TA2. For example, the first andsecond transmission areas TA1 and TA2 may be provided between the firstto third connecting wires CL1, CL2, and CL3 and the fourth to sixthconnecting wires CL4, CL5, and CL6.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a scan line of the displayapparatus of FIG. 1 , and FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view schematicallyshowing a portion of FIG. 13 .

Various signals may be applied to the display area DA. For example, ascan signal or the like for adjusting the brightness in each pixel maybe applied to the display area DA, and for this purpose, asschematically illustrated in FIG. 13 , first to fourth wires WL1′, WL2′,WL3′, and WL4′ that are substantially parallel to each other may belocated inside and outside of the display area DA on the substrate 100.In an embodiment of the present invention, the first to fourth wiresWL1′, WL2′, WL3′, and WL4′ may be the scan lines SL described above withreference to FIGS. 3 and 4 . In an embodiment of the present invention,in a display apparatus with reference to FIGS. 5 and 13 , the first tofourth wires WL1′, WL2′, WL3′ and WL4′ may cross the first to fourthwires WL1, WL2, WL3, and WL4. FIG. 13 shows only wires adjacent to thetransmission area TA, so that the display panel 10 includes four wires,but this is only an example and the display area DA may include morethan four wires.

The first wire WL1′ extends in a first direction (e.g., an x direction).The first wire WL1′ includes a first-1 wire WL1 a′ and a first-2 wireWL1 b′ that are spaced apart from each other by the transmission areaTA. The first-2 wire WL1 b′ is arranged to coincide with a virtual lineextending in the first direction from the first-1 wire WL1 a′. Forexample, the virtual line extending in the first direction from thefirst-1 wire WL1 a′ and a virtual line extending in the first directionfrom the first-2 wire WL1 b′ coincide with each other. The first wireWL1′ may be integrally formed and then disconnected as the transmissionarea TA is formed, thereby forming the first-1 wire WL1 a′ and thefirst-2 wire WL1 b′. As another example, the first-1 wire WL1 a′ and thefirst-2 wire WL1 b′ may be formed by patterning.

The second wire WL2′ extends in the first direction in the same manneras the first wire WL1′, and includes a second-1 wire WL2 a′ and asecond-2 wire WL2 b′ that are spaced apart from each other by thetransmission area TA. The third wire WL3′ also extends in the firstdirection in the same manner as the first wire WL1′ and the second wireWL2′ and includes a third-1 wire WL3 a′ and a third-2 wire WL3 b′ thatare spaced apart from each other by the transmission area TA. Thedescription of the second wire WL2′ and the third wire WL3′ may besubstantially the same as the first wire WL1′.

Unlike the first to third wires WL1′, WL2′, and WL3′, the fourth wireWL4′ does not partially overlap the transmission area TA. Therefore, thefourth wire WL4′ may be integrally formed without a portion disconnectedor separated by the transmission area TA. Like the first to third wiresWL1′, WL2′, and WL3′, the fourth wire WL4′ extends in the firstdirection.

The first to third connecting wires CL1′, CL2′, and CL3′ are arranged onthe substrate 100 corresponding to the display area DA. The firstconnecting wire CL1′ connects the first-1 wire WL1 a′ to the first-2wire WL1 b′ that are spaced apart from each other by the transmissionarea TA. For example, the first connecting wire CL1′ may serve as abridge connecting the first-1 wire WL1 a′ to the first-2 wire WL1 b′.Likewise, the second connecting wire CL2′ connects the second-1 wire WL2a′ to the second-2 wire WL2 b′ that are spaced apart from each other bythe transmission area TA, and the third connecting wire CL3′ connectsthe third-1 wire WL3 a′ to the third-2 wire WL3 b′ that are spaced apartfrom each other by the transmission area TA.

Because the first to third wires WL1′, WL2′, and WL3′ are respectivelyconnected to different connecting wires, for example, the first to thirdconnecting wires CL1′, CL2′, and CL3′, the first to third wires WL1′,WL2′, and WL3′ are not connected to each other. Therefore, differentsignals may be applied to the first to third wires WL1′,

In an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 13and 14 , the distance from the transmission area TA to the secondconnecting wire CL2′ may be longer in the than the distance between thefirst connecting wire CL1′ and the transmission area TA. In addition,the distance from the transmission area TA to the third connecting wireCL3′ may be longer than the distance between the second connecting wireCL2′ and the transmission area TA. For example, the first connectingwire CL1′ may be arranged closest to the transmission area TA, and thethird connecting wire CL3′ may be arranged farthest from thetransmission area TA. The second connecting wire CL2′ may be arrangedbetween the first connecting wire CLI and the third connecting wireCL3′. However, shapes in which the first to third connecting wires CL1′,CL2′, and CL3′ are arranged may vary, and the ones illustrated in FIGS.17 to 18 correspond to an embodiment of the present invention. This willbe described in detail with reference to FIGS. 17 to 18 .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first wire WL1includes the first-1 wire WL1 a′ and the first-2 wire WL1 b′ that arespaced apart from each other by the transmission area TA, and thefirst-1 wire WL1 a′ and the first-2 wire WL1 b′ may be connected to eachother by the first connecting wire CL1.

As a comparative example, a plurality of wires arranged adjacent to atransmission area of a display panel may be formed extending in a firstdirection and bypassing along an edge of the transmission area. Further,the plurality of wires are apart from each other at regular intervals,and are densely arranged when bypassing along the edge of thetransmission area. Because the plurality of wires are densely arrangedat the edge of the transmission area, a space in which a plurality ofthin film transistors, a storage capacitor, and the like may be arrangedis reduced, so that pixels cannot be formed. For example, the edge ofthe transmission area, in which the plurality of wires bypass,corresponds to a non-display area in which pixels are not arranged.Additional space is required to bypass a plurality of wires, andaccordingly, a non-display area surrounding a transmission area isformed wide.

However, as in an embodiment of the present invention, the first wireWL1′ may include the first-1 wire WL1 a′ and the first-2 wire WL1 b′that are spaced apart from each other by the transmission area TA. Inthis case, the first wire WL1′ does not need to bypass along the edge ofthe transmission area TA, and the first wire WL1′ may be arranged to beadjacent to the transmission area TA. For example, the first non-displayarea NDA1 surrounding the transmission area TA may be reduced. Inaddition, because the first-1 wire WL1 a′ and the first-2 wire WL1 b′are connected to each other by the first connecting wire CL1′, the samesignal may be applied to the first-1 wire WL1 a′ and the first-2 wireWL1 b′.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of FIG. 14 , FIG. 16A is across-sectional view of a display apparatus taken along a line V-V′ ofFIG. 15 , and FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the displayapparatus taken along a line VI-VI′ of FIG. 15 . In FIGS. 15 and FIG.16A and 16B, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 denote thesame elements, and a duplicate description thereof may not be givenhereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the first to third wires WL1′, WL2′, and WL3′extend in a first direction (e.g., an x direction) and are arranged tooverlap the plurality of pixel circuits PC. FIG. 15 is an enlarged viewof a second area AR2 and a third area AR3 of FIG. 14 , and shows sixpixel circuits PC in each area, but this is only an example. The secondarea AR2 may include more than six pixel circuits PC, and the third areaAR3 may be the same.

The first wire WL1′ according to an embodiment of the present inventionextends in the first direction (e.g., the x direction), and includes thefirst-1 wire WL1 a′ and first-2 wire WL1 b′ that are spaced apart fromeach other by the transmission area TA. The first-1 wire WL1 a′ and thefirst-2 wire WL1 b′ are connected to each other by the first connectingwire CL1′.

Referring to FIGS, 16A and 16B, the second gate insulating layer 115 maybe on the first gate insulating layer 113, and a third gate insulatinglayer 116 may be on the second gate insulating layer 115. The first tothird wires WL1, WL2, and WL3 may be arranged on the first gateinsulating layer 113, and the first connecting wire CL1′ may be arrangedon the second gate insulating layer 115, and the upper electrode CE2 ofthe storage capacitor Cst may be arranged on the third gate insulatinglayer 116. The third gate insulating layer 116 may include, for example,SiO₂, SiN_(x), SiON, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Ta₂O₅, HfO₂, or ZnO₂.

The second gate insulating layer 115 may include a first contact holeCNT1 and a second contact hole CNT2. For example, the first contact holeCNT1 partially exposes the first-1 wire WL1 a′, and the second contacthole CNT2 partially exposes the first-2 wire WL1 b′. A portion of thefirst connecting wire CL1′ may be buried in the first contact hole CNT1and the second contact hole CNT2, respectively, to connect the first-1wire WL1 a′ to the first-2 wire WL1 b′.

In FIGS. 16A and 16B, the first connecting wire CL1′ may be arranged onthe second gate insulating layer 115, and the upper electrode CE2 of thestorage capacitor Cst may be arranged on the third gate insulating layer116. However, because the first connecting wire CL1′ may be arranged ona different layer from those of the first to third wires WL1′, WL2′, andWL3′, the first connecting wire CL1′ may be arranged on the third gateinsulating layer 116. As another example, the third gate insulatinglayer 116 may be omitted, and the first connecting wire CL1′ and theupper electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst may be arranged on thesecond gate insulating layer 115.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second and thirdconnecting wires CL2′ and CL3′ may be disposed on the second gateinsulating layer 115.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting wireCL1′ may include a first-1 connecting wire CL1 a′ extending in a firstdirection (e.g., an x direction), a first-2 connecting wire CL1 b′extending in a second direction (e.g., a y direction) crossing the firstdirection, and a first-3 connecting wire CL1 c′ extending in a thirddirection (e.g., also, a y direction) crossing the first direction. Thefirst-2 connecting wire CL1 b′ is connected to one end of the first-1connecting wire CL1 a′, and the first-3 connecting wire CL1 c′ isconnected to the other end of the first-1 connecting wire CL1 a′. Forexample, different portions of the first-1 connecting wire CL1 a′intersect with the first-2 connecting wire CL1 b′ and the first-3connecting wire CL1 c′. The first-1 connecting wire CU1 a′, the first-2connecting wire CL1 b′, and the first-3 connecting wire CL1 c′ may beintegrally formed. In FIG. 15 , the first-1 connecting wire CL1 a′ andthe first-2 connecting wire CL1 b′ cross each other, but this is only anexample. For example, an angle formed by the first-1 connecting wire CL1a′ and the first-2 connecting wire CL1 b′ may vary. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 14 , an angle formed by the first-1 connecting wireCL1 a′ and the first-2 connecting wire CU1 b′ may be greater than 90degrees. Although the first connecting wire CL1′ has been described as areference, the same description applies to the second connecting wireCL2′ and the third connecting wire CL3′,

In an embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the first-2connecting wire CL1 b′ may be buried in the first contact hole CNT1 tocontact the first-1 wire WL1 a′, and a portion of the first-3 connectingwire CL1 c′ may be buried in the second contact hole CNT2 to contact thefirst-2 wire WL1 b′. The first-1 wire WL1 a′ and the first-2 wire WL1 b′may be connected to each other through the first contact hole CNT1 andthe second contact hole CNT2. The same signal may be applied to thefirst-1 wire WL1 a′ and the first-2 wire WL1 b′. Although the first wireWL1′ and first connecting wire CL1′ have been described as a reference,the same description applies to the second wire WL2′, the secondconnecting wire CL2′, the third wire WL3′, and the third connecting wireCL3′.

Because the first to third connecting wires CL1′, CL2′, and CL3′ arearranged on a different layer from those of the first to third wiresWL1′, WL2′, and WL3′, the first to third wires WL1′, WL2′, and WL3′ arenot connected to each other. Therefore, different signals may be appliedto the first to third wires WL1′, WL2′, and WL3′.

In addition, as described above with reference to FIG. 14 , because thefirst wire WL1′ includes the first-1 wire WL1 a′ and the first-2 wireWL1 b′ that are spaced apart from each other by the transmission areaTA, there is no need for the first wire WL1′ to bypass along the edge ofthe transmission area TA. For example, the first non-display area NDA1surrounding the transmission area TA may be reduced.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are plan views of a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17 , the distance from the transmission area TA to thesecond connecting wire CL2′ may be shorter than the distance between thefirst connecting wire CL1′ and the transmission area TA. Further, thedistance between the third connecting wire CL3′ and the transmissionarea TA may be shorter than the distance between the second connectingwire CL2′ and the transmission area TA. For example, the firstconnecting wire CL1′ may be arranged farthest from the transmission areaTA, and the third connecting wire CL3′ may be arranged closest to thetransmission area TA. The second connecting wire CL2′ may be arrangedbetween the first connecting wire CU′ and the third connecting wireCL3′.

Referring to FIG. 18 , the first to third connecting wires CL1′, CL2′,and CL3′ may be arranged in different directions based on thetransmission area TA. The first connecting wire CL1′ may be arrangedabove the transmission area TA, and the second connecting wire CL2′ andthe third connecting wire CL3′ may be respectively arranged below thetransmission area TA. As another example, the first connecting wire CL1′and the third connecting wire CL3′ are respectively arranged above thetransmission area TA, and the second connecting wire CL2′ may bearranged below the transmission area TA. In addition, the first to thirdconnecting wires CL1′, CL2′, and CL3′ may be freely arranged above orbelow the transmission area TA.

In an embodiment of the present invention, data lines (see DL in FIG. 4) shown in FIG. 6 and scan lines (see SL in FIG. 4 ) shown in FIG. 14may be arranged together in the display apparatus. For example, the dataline DL extends in a first direction (e.g., a y direction) and mayinclude a first data line and a second data line that are spaced apartfrom each other by the transmission area TA, and the first data line andthe second data line may be connected to each other by a firstconnecting wire. In addition, the scan line SL extends in a seconddirection (e.g., an x direction) crossing the first direction and mayinclude a first scan line and a second scan line that are spaced apartfrom each other by the transmission area TA, and the first scan line andthe second scan line may be connected to each other by a secondconnecting wire.

In this case, both the data line DL and the scan line SL need not bypassalong the edge of the transmission area TA. Accordingly, the data lineDL and the scan line SL may be arranged adjacent to the transmissionarea TA, and the first non-display area NDA1 surrounding thetransmission area TA may be reduced.

Although only a display apparatus has been described so far, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a method ofmanufacturing the display apparatus is also within the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present invention as described above,a display apparatus in which a non-display area is reduced andhigh-speed driving is possible may be implemented. However, the scope ofthe present invention is not limited thereto.

While the present invention has been described with reference toembodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made theretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a substratehaving a transmission area and a display area, wherein the display areasurrounds the transmission area; a first wire arranged on the substrateand comprising a first-1 wire and a first-2 wire extending in a firstdirection and being spaced apart from each other by the transmissionarea; and a first connecting wire connecting the first-1 wire to thefirst-2 wire, wherein the same first signal is applied to the first wireand the first connecting wire.
 2. The display apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a display device; and a pixel circuit electricallyconnected to the display device, wherein the pixel comprises: a firsttransistor configured to control a magnitude of a driving currentflowing to the display device; and a second transistor configured totransmit the first signal transferred from the first wire to the firsttransistor in response to a scan signal.
 3. The display apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the first signal is a data signal.
 4. The displayapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second wire extending in thefirst direction and comprising a second-1 portion and a second-2portion, wherein the second-1 portion at least partially overlaps thefirst connecting wire and is arranged on a different layer from that ofthe first wire, and the second-2 portion is arranged on the same layeras that of the first wire.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe first connecting wire is arranged on a same layer as that of thefirst wire
 6. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstconnecting wire comprises a first-1 connecting wire extending in thefirst direction, a first-2 connecting wire connected to one end of thefirst-1 connecting wire and extending in a second direction crossing thefirst direction, and a first-3 connecting wire connected to the otherend of the first-1 connecting wire and extending in a third directioncrossing the first direction.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a third wire arranged on the same layer as that ofthe first wire and comprising a third-1 wire and a third-2 wireextending in the first direction and being spaced apart from each otherby the transmission area; and a second connecting wire connecting thethird-1 wire to the third-2 wire, wherein the same second signal isapplied to the third wire and the second connecting wire.
 8. The displayapparatus of claim 7, wherein the first connecting wire is arrangedcloser to the transmission area than the second connecting wire.
 9. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first connecting wire and thesecond connecting wire are arranged on one side and another side,respectively, of the transmission area.
 10. The display apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the transmission area comprises a first transmissionarea and a second transmission area that are spaced apart from eachother, wherein the first-1 wire and the first-2 wire are spaced apartfrom each other by the first transmission area, and the third-1 wire andthe third-2 wire are spaced apart from each other by the secondtransmission area, and the first connecting wire is spaced apart fromthe second transmission area, and the second connecting wire is spacedapart from the first transmission area.
 11. The display apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first wire and the first connecting wire are asingle body.
 12. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising acomponent disposed below the substrate and overlapping the transmissionarea.
 13. A display apparatus comprising: a substrate having atransmission area and a display area, wherein the display area surroundsthe transmission area; a first wire arranged on the substrate andcomprising a first-1 wire and a first-2 wire extending in a firstdirection and being spaced apart from each other by the transmissionarea; an insulating layer arranged on the first wire and comprising afirst contact hole and a second contact hole, wherein the first contacthole at least partially exposes the first-1 wire, and the second contacthole at least partially exposes the first-2 wire; and a first connectingwire arranged on the insulating layer and bypassing the transmissionarea, wherein the first connecting wire connects the first-1 wire to thefirst-2 wire through the first contact hole and the second contact hole.14. The display apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first connecting wirecomprises a first-1 connecting wire extending in the first direction, afirst-2 connecting wire connected to one end of the first-1 connectingwire and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction,and a first-3 connecting wire connected to the other end of the first-1connecting wire and extending in a third direction crossing the firstdirection.
 15. The display apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: asecond wire arranged on a same layer as that of the first wire andcomprising a second-1 wire and a second-2 wire extending in the firstdirection and being spaced apart from each other by the transmissionarea; and a second connecting wire arranged on the insulating layercorresponding to the display area and connecting the second-1 wire tothe second-2 wire, wherein the first connecting wire is arranged closerto the transmission area than the second connecting wire.
 16. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a second wirearranged on a same layer as that of the first wire and comprising asecond-1 wire and a second-2 wire extending in the first direction andbeing spaced apart from each other by the transmission area; and asecond connecting wire arranged on the insulating layer corresponding tothe display area and connecting the second-1 wire to the second-2 wire,wherein the first connecting wire and the second connecting wire arearranged on one side and another side, respectively, of the transmissionarea.